Whatever the occasion, the one dessert my cousin’s kids beg me to make is Chocolate Pudding Pie. Fortunately, it’s also very inexpensive and simple to prepare. Plus, it doesn’t take a lot of time, so if I’m short on desserts or having company last minute, I can whip it up pretty quickly.
Ingredients
- 1 ready-made graham cracker pie crust
- 1 box chocolate instant pudding (5.1 oz. size) – I often skip the vanilla pudding and just double the chocolate! But, you do you boo!
- 1 box vanilla instant pudding (5.1 oz. size)
- 5-6 cups of 2% or whole milk
- 8-16 oz. heavy whipping cream (8 oz. makes 2 cups whipped cream, 16 oz. makes 4)
- 2 tablespoons sugar (or sugar substitute)
Directions
Pie
- Prepare vanilla pudding by mixing the packet with 2 1/2 to 3 cups of cold milk. (The less milk you use the more mousse-like the consistency. I use 2 3/4 cup for more of a classic pudding texture).
- Prepare the chocolate pudding and keep separate from the vanilla pudding.
- Pour vanilla pudding into the ready-made graham cracker crust until halfway full.
- Cover vanilla pudding with chocolate pudding until crust is nearly full (leave about 1/4″ unfilled to make cutting easier later on and room for whipped cream)
- Cover pie and refrigerate for at least 2 hours (up to 24 hours)
Whipped Cream
- Pour one or two cups of heavy whipping cream into a cold metal or glass bowl
- Using an electric mixer, beat on high until soft peaks form
- Add sugar or sugar substitute to taste (1 tablespoon per 8 oz. heavy whipping cream is usually sufficient)
- Continue beating until desired consistency
Tips
I recommend allowing guests to put whipped cream on their own pie as everyone has different preferences. Putting the whipped cream on the pie in advance is not recommended as it can become runny in the refrigerator.
You will probably have extra vanilla and chocolate pudding. Pour the pudding into tall milkshake glasses (alternating vanilla and chocolate) and top with whipped cream for those who don’t like pie crust.
I use Keebler Ready Crust, which comes in several flavors and sizes. For a larger pie, buy the “two extra serving size.” No extra pudding is necessary, but you won’t have any leftover.
For a kids party, or just for fun, make extra pudding and buy the “mini graham cracker” crusts. Then let the kids fill the crusts themselves. You can also put out toppings like sprinkles, coconut, or chopped nuts for decoration.
Ready-made crusts can also be found in chocolate, shortbread, and fat-free varieties. The flavor makes no difference; use any kind.
Chocolate and vanilla are my family’s favorite, but pudding comes in different flavors too. Match two of your favorites, or for picky eaters, make one that is all chocolate or all vanilla.
Feature image credit: Photo credit: djwtwo on VisualHunt.com
